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Nigeria: State Moves to Increase Fruits Export to Europe

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has concluded arrangements to sign a Technical Collaboration Agreement with the Port of Antwerp, Belgium towards increasing the export of Nigerian fruits to the European countries. Tunde Okoya, President of the Nigerian-Belgian Commercial Information and Documentation Centre, NBCIDC, disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday in Lagos. Mr. Okoya said that with the agreement, more Nigerian fruits would have the opportunity of being re-exported from the Port of Antwerp, Belgium to the various European countries. “The Nigerian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce has concluded arrangements to lead a second Trade Mission this year to Belgium from September 19 to September 21. “The purpose of this Mission is for the Port of Antwerp to sign a Technical Collaboration Agreement with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). “This is to increase the export of Nigerian fruits to European countries. “We believe that if Nigeria is able to increase production and we are able to reduce post-harvest losses, we can be sure that there are waiting markets in Europe for our fruits. “This is why we are trying to create a platform in anticipation of Nigeria’s readiness to take advantage of the large fruits market in Europe through the Port of Antwerp,” he said. The president said that his organisation was working at creating direct access for more fruits from Nigeria to the Port of Antwerp, and eventually to other European countries. Mr. Okoya said that during the Trade Mission, the management of the NPA would sign the technical collaboration agreement with the management of the Port of Antwerp. He said that there would be a “Nigerian Day’’ in Voka, where the benefits of both countries’ Chamber of Commerce engagements in investment and businesses would be showcased.